cut down

verb

cut down; cutting down; cuts down

transitive verb

1

a

: to strike down and kill or incapacitate

b

: knock down

2

a

: to remodel by removing extras or unwanted furnishings and fittings

b

: to remake in a smaller size

intransitive verb

: to reduce or curtail volume or activity

cut down on smoking

Phrases

cut down to size

: to reduce from an inflated or exaggerated importance to true or suitable stature

Examples of cut down in a Sentence

we need to cut down that dying tree

Recent Examples on the Web

Approximately 150 cherry trees will be cut down during the project. —Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Other ways to see a decrease on the scale include cutting down on sugary foods, eating less simple carbohydrates, and focusing on high-protein meals. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

This can significantly cut down — or completely eliminate — time spent waiting in line while in the club. —Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024

In September, the Postal Service Inspector General identified arrow key accountability as one of three areas the post office should focus on to cut down on mail theft. —Nick Devlin, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2024

That was then drastically cut down on Monday's episode, as the top 24 was solidified. —Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Arborists say Stumpy’s interior trunk is hollow, reason enough to place it among 158 trees scheduled to be cut down in coming months as part of a $113 million sea wall repair project near the National Mall prompted by climate change. —Emily Hung, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2024

For coach Eric Olen’s team, the chance to keep playing — and perhaps even cut down nets — is a nice reward after going 21-11 overall and 15-5 in Big West Conference play. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024

The sea wall project will begin in May, and Stumpy is among about 300 trees that will be cut down this year. —Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

cut down

verb

1

: to knock down and kill or wound

2

: to make over in a smaller size

3

: to reduce something in amount

cut down on energy use

Medical Definition

cutdown

noun

cut·​down ˈkət-ˌdau̇n 

: incision of a superficial blood vessel (as a vein) to facilitate insertion of a catheter (as for administration of fluids)